Since I work, I have never personally met my postal carrier, so I don't know his/her name.  I'd like to leave some money in a card for the holidays, but I'm worried about leaving cash in my mailbox.  Also, what if a substitute takes the route for that day?  What's the best way of ensuring my regular carrier will receive my gift?  I really feel he/she deserves it this year since I've joined PBS!  :-)

find out his or her name and make it out to them.

Last year I just put a note on my mailbox to have him ring the bell.  Obviously, I was home so he could do that.  If I were leaving something, I would put a note on my mailbox letting him know I had something inside for him.  If I put it inside the mailbox, he would probably think I just hadn't checked my mailbox lately and not notice that the envelope inside was for him.

My mail carrier said that they're not allowed to accept cash, but they can accept small gifts with a value of $20 or less. 

I live in an apartment complex and would love to do the same thing for all the wonderful help he has done for me and my books. =)  Unfortunately we have one of those "galley" type of mailbox areas where everyone goes to get their mail.  Would a gift card be the same thing as cash?  Thinking of doing one of those Visa pre-paid cards for him.  Also, how can I make sure that our regular postman gets it?  Maybe leave it in the office for him?  Any suggestions?

Keri

I was wondering about this too!  I want to do something for him after all the books they have delivered to me this past year...  :-)

You could write " To my regular Mail Carrier" on the envelope.

Every office is different. I am a substitute carrier and the regular carrier asks me to bring back anything left in the mailboxes for her and leave it on her mail case. I do that for her,because after all she is the full time person and it's her route. Some regular carriers will share home baked goodies or chocolates with their subs, unfortunately mine doesn't. With that being said, just don't be rude like some customers have been to me in the past. When i approached a home with a package last year near Christmas time, the homeowner met me at the door with a package of chocolates, then realizing i wasn't J---------(the regular carrier) she handed the chocolates to me with this comment " Make sure you give these to J___!!!! And Don't eat them!! Because i am going to ask her later if she got them!"..............Gee thanks!! Oh the stories i could tell you!

And as a city letter carrier, our procedure is basically the same as Tanya's. The substitute will leave whatever is brought back the day he/she is on the route for the regular. You don't have to worry about those of us in USPS not knowing what to do with it  =)

As to gift suggestions, I've received candy, cookies, Christmas ornaments with a mailbox on them, little figurines, gift cards, scarves, gloves, hats, etc. For those in colder climates, some of those handwarmers would be appreciated and they can be used for the feet, too! Hand lotion would be a good idea, as well as lip balm--cold weather does terrible things to the skin!

And a suggestion for warmer climates would be sun screen! And just let me think about a warmer climate for a few minutes! Ahhh, heaven!!

Anyway, I know it isn't supposed to happen, but cash is still given and accepted by carriers.

Choosing not to give your carrier something is also acceptable. Our job is to deliver the mail and we do get paid for it. But I give my regular letter carrier a gift and one for the substitute, but I know them both because they're colleagues in the same office.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.  I was hoping some carriers would read this and respond, so I'm very glad Tanya and Connie chimed in.  And with all those suggestions, I get to be creative now!  :-)

Last year (when I stuck a note on my mailbox) my gift was a pre-paid card for the Starbucks on the other side of tmy block because it's on his route.  

I'm sorry, i forgot to add good gift ideas!

I've seen cute coffee mugs with a packet of hot chocolate or flavored coffee inside with a ribbon tied around the handle. Gift cards to Subway or other fast food places because alot of carriers need to stop and eat half way thru their day. Hand lotions and lip balms like Connie said are a great idea! Ear muffs and hand knit scarves for the colder climates. Chocolates are always good!

Here's my problem, I'm an auxiallary route.  So, I never have the same carrier more then two days.  My budget doesn't allow for buying gifts for all the subs that work our route.  I was thinking of bringing a big tray of goodies to the office for the carriers and the counter staff who have dealt with my gagillion packages this year.  What do you guys think?

I'm sure a big tray of goodies would be most welcome at your post office. In the PO where I worked, our wonderful customers always kept our bellies full of homemade cakes, pies, cookies, etc.

Kerrie, that sounds like a great idea. Us window clerks get left out of the goodies most of the time. A few of the regulars will bring in things, maybe a tin of popcorn or a plate of cookies. One of our regulars, who would mail 50-75 pieces PER DAY, EVERY DAY, cooked us lunch for x-mas. She got permission from our postmaster and brought it in on our "slow day" (Yeah right! in december? there's no such thing. SHe had all the trimmings, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, rolls, pies etc, etc

As a window clerk who's stuck in the office with other employees and supervisors to witness my receiving gifts, I've always been jealous of letter carriers for the tips they get. We have a city carrier in our office who delivers to one of the richest neighborhoods in Alabama. Every December, he rakes in over $1000 in tips from his customers! Some of the carriers get baked goods, sweaters, and even bottles of booze!! We window clerks get the occasional plate of cookies or a bag of candy. Only once have I been given a cash tip of $5 (When no other employees were there to report me!)

I'm taking goodies to the PO where I do all my business because they are so great to me.

I went in yesterday and there was a new girl up front, when she saw my name on a package she shook my hand and introduced herself. She had been working in the back for the past 5 years and remembered my name from all my packages...lol.

Great idea to make a tray of goodies for the counter staff. Thanks for all of the suggestions.